Chapman says farewell as Deppert assumes command

Photo By Patrick Bray | Col. Phillip J. Deppert assumed command of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, Presidio of Monterey, Calif., July 29.  

MONTEREY, CA, UNITED STATES

07.29.2015

Story by Patrick Bray 

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command

MONTEREY, Calif. – After serving successfully for more than a year, Col. David K. Chapman relinquished command of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, Presidio of Monterey, California, to Col. Phillip J. Deppert July 29.

The change of command ceremony was presided over by Kirby Brown, deputy to the commanding general of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, who paid his first visit to the institute.

“You have no idea what an amazing institution this is. Out of all the schools and centers in the Army, this institute has the most unique, toughest and challenging mission of any of the schools,” said Brown in his remarks after spending time engaging with service members undergoing language training earlier in the day.

“When you talk to them you are in for one heck of an impressive experience. They are articulate in their work and dedication to learn a language, which is not to learn just a language, but to learn a culture,” said Brown.

Brown further highlighted several achievements during Chapman’s tenure, saying Chapman has “driven DLIFLC forward in an absolutely outstanding manner.”

Chapman, in his farewell remarks, recognized what he called a “world class faculty” and thanked them for their dedication and all they do for the institute.

“DLIFLC is the standard in language acquisition, testing and maintenance. No one does what you do and no one does it on this scale,” said Chapman.

“I am honored to have had the opportunity to lead such an amazing organization and I wish you all the best,” said Chapman.

Chapman also enjoyed the Presidio of Monterey’s rich history. Paying homage to that history, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regimental Horse Detachment participated in the change of command. The regiment has historic ties to the Presidio during the pre-World War II years when the Presidio was a cavalry post.

Deppert arrived in Monterey after serving as the chief of staff and deputy commander of Joint Task Force North at Fort Bliss, Texas.

“DLIFLC has established a great legacy of producing the best language professionals in the world,” said Deppert in his first remarks as commandant.

Deppert told Chapman he can rest assured that the institute will remain in good hands and wished him and his family “fair winds and following seas” as they move on to their next assignment. Chapman departs for France where he will be the senior defense official and defense attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Paris.

DLIFLC is regarded as one of the finest schools for foreign language instruction in the world. The Institute provides resident instruction in 23 languages to approximately 3,500 military service members, five days a week, seven hours per day, with two to three hours of homework each night. Generally, students spend between 26 and 64 weeks at the Presidio, depending on the difficulty of the language.

• Date Taken: 07.29.2015
• Date Posted: 07.30.2015 14:14
• Story ID: 171617
• Location: MONTEREY, CA, US